Dugans Bench / Deer Creek

Pre-prescribed burn 1994

Post-prescribed burn 1997

Rattlesnake Creek

Pre-prescribed burn 1997

Post-prescribed burn 1997

Both sites pictured above missed a natural fire cycle which allowed woody vegetation to increase, and herbaceous and desirable shrubs to decrease. Prescribed fire was used as a tool to reverse this situation and provide an opportunity for natural succession resulting in improved plant diversity and enhanced watershed health.

Prescribed Burn Mosaic

Spring prescribed burn

Post prescribed burn

Burning in the spring (pictured upper left) allows for more control during the burning operation by using snow drifts as control lines. This technique makes it possible to achieve a low-percent burn objective (pictured upper right). The objective of this prescribed burn project was to treat approximately 30 percent of the sagebrush which was easily achieved with a spring burn.

Prescribed Burning and Riparian Areas

Spring Creek 1994

Spring Creek 1995

Spring Creek 2002

Prescribed fire coupled with improved livestock grazing management can improve riparian areas. Prescribed fire treatments used in the upland vegetation enhances forage quality, quantity, and nutritional values and attracts ungulates off preferred riparian areas. The 1994 photo above is prior to implementation of grazing management and a prescribed burn program. The 1995 and 2002 photos are after implementation of grazing management and a prescribed burn plan. Note the overall increase of herbaceous vegetation, and the increase in coyote willow on the left bank in the 1995 photo compared to the 2002 photo. This improvement allows for greater stability of the riparian system, increases plant diversity, improves wildlife habitat and provides a healthier watershed.